In the News: Lady in a Fur Wrap: Mystery of Glasgow painting revealed

It's always interesting to learn the secrets behind paintings,
and in this story from BBC news, the true painter of the "Lady in a Fur Wrap" has finally been discovered. Here's the story from BBC:  

Lady in a Fur Wrap: Mystery of Glasgow painting revealed 

The mystery behind the origins of one of Scotland's most iconic paintings has been solved.  

For many years The Lady in a Fur Wrap was thought to have been painted by 16th Century master El Greco.

However experts have now undertaken a detailed scientific analysis of the masterpiece, which is owned by Glasgow Museums.

They have established that it was actually painted by Spanish artist Alonso Sánchez Coello.

The identity of the painter has been the subject of ongoing debate for more than 100 years

Technical examinations were initially carried out by the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid in 2014.

Later experts from Glasgow University and Glasgow Museums compared the Lady to works by El Greco and other contemporary artists such as Coello to understand its origins.

Dr Mark Richter, who co-ordinated the research, explained that technical analysis of the painting surface and examination of microscopic samples revealed its composition differed to El Greco's other work.

Experts found the ground layer of the Lady was a light grey, whereas works by El Greco were primed with a layer of brownish-red.  Dr Richter said: "This distinctive layer tended to include precious pigments of many different colours, suggesting he used scrapings from his paint palette for this initial layer."

They also used infrared reflectography - a technique which "sees though" paint layers which are impenetrable to the human eye.

It showed that quality of El Greco's initial drawings were "radically different" from the lines visible beneath the Lady in a Fur Wrap.

"Details like this, important for understanding an artist's individual technique, help explain why the Lady in a Fur Wrap is no longer considered to be painted by El Greco," he added.

Features such as dress, jewellery and the status of people represented in portraiture of the time were also studied while working with Spanish scholars.

Who was Alonso Sánchez Coello?

The artist, who lived from around 1531 to 1588, is most closely associated with conventional, formal royal portraits.

However it is now believed he painted very different, informal works such as The Lady in a Fur Wrap.

He was the principal portraitist at the court of Philip II of Spain and was more admired and well known than El Greco at the time.

Dr Hilary Macartney, who led the research at the University of Glasgow, said: "The misattribution of the Lady was instrumental in establishing El Greco's reputation outside Spain in the 19th century.

"Now, at last, it will re-establish the international reputation that Alonso Sánchez Coello deserves."

Image copyrightSNS GROUP

Image captionDr Hilary Macartney, right, said this discovery will re-establish the international status Coello deserves

Idiot of the Week:Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns Football Player

This week's idiot is a football player who lost his temper and beat a player on the opposing team with a helmet, just for grabbing a football. If you or anyone have anger issues, get them resolved before playing sports or doing competitive things. This is really more of an idiotic (and quite brutal) event, and a man that needs counseling. Here's the story (courtesy of our friend and football fan, Jeff B):

The Washington Post reported "One of the ugliest on-field incidents in NFL history Thursday night prompted one of its most stringent penalties Friday. The league suspended Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett indefinitely for the episode late in Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in which Garrett yanked the helmet from the head of Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and hit him in the head with it."

Garrett’s suspension will cover at least the Browns’ six remaining games in the 2019 regular season and any postseason games they might play, the NFL said.

HIS APOLOGY -“Last night, I made a terrible mistake,” Garrett said in a statement released Friday by the Browns. “I lost my cool and what I did was selfish and unacceptable. I know that we are all responsible for our actions and I can only prove my true character through my actions moving forward. I want to apologize to Mason Rudolph, my teammates, our entire organization, our fans and to the NFL. I know I have to be accountable for what happened, learn from my mistake and I fully intend to do so.”
Video: https://youtu.be/eef-l5pcEIk

A Fantastic Novel of Police Action and Romance: Italian Love by Josie Naclerio

My friend Josie Naclerio recently published her third book in a series of romance/police action novels called the Carabineri Series (Italian military police). I read and reviewed the first one called "Love in the Ruins"  and it was awesome. It kept my attention, and I really felt as if I knew the characters. Like that book, book 2 in the series, called "Italian Love" is equally as enthralling and builds off two of the characters from the first book.

  So, here's how I summarize this book:Secrets, Steamy Seduction, Kidnapping and Police Action

   In book 2 of the Carabineri Series, Federico, a handsome military policeman in Italy's Carabineri force longs for love, although still coping with witnessing a horrific murder. When he learns about Abbey Capelli there is an instant fascination and it's mutual. However, an attractive Greek businessman is also vying for Abbey's love and seems ready to do anything to get it. In this story of secrets, steamy seduction, romance, kidnapping and police action, the author takes you into a world where a man must truly fight for love.   

  ***ANYONE who likes POLICE ACTION or ROMANCES should read these. I told her that BOTH of these books need to be made into films. Really!

Other books from Josie Naclerio:

Love in the Ruins: Book 1 and

Carabineri Love: Book 3

Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Josie-Naclerio-Author-2192405504134478/

or: https://tinyurl.com/va2r439

 

Today's Rant: 6 Years of Free Service and then Discarded

Today's blog is a rant. I'm saying that up front so if you don't want to read it, you can skip it! 
   Since 2013 or 2014, the paranormal group that we belong to has been giving lectures on paranormal topics (many based on my books) FREE of Charge to a mansion in Maryland. In addition, the Paranormal Group (as many as 7 to 10 members at a time) have conducted ghost tours and introduced members of the general public to the 7 or so ghosts that dwell in the mansion over the course of 3 hour events on Friday Nights (several times a year). We also did this FREE to the Mansion. 
   Here's the catch. The Mansion charged people $15 for lectures, and $25 for the Ghost Tour. We told them that was too expensive, but they didn't change the fees. They profited 100%.  The group received NOTHING for hundreds of hours, travel time, organizing lectures, etc. over the course of 6 years and doing these about every 2 months (less lately). 

THE RUDE WOMAN/SO WHAT HAPPENED?    On Facebook on Nov. 8, one woman who attended the Ghost Tour, mouthed off when she arrived. Before we even began she shouted (in front of everyone) "I brought 9 people with me tonight, and I'm the only reason you're able to have this."   I thought, what a hell of a lot of nerve she has. That was the beginning. She complained that we would not walk her and a group in the dark way behind the mansion to the cemetery (it had rained, and we explained the ground was muddy, there were a lot of stones, and someone could get injured). She was apparently seething.
**SIDE NOTE- I found the nasty woman's FACEBOOK page and she is a staunch Trump Supporter. NOW it makes sense how she could feel so superior and be so rude to everyone.**

THE MANSION CALLS AND KICKS US OUT -    Five days later, the Paranormal group manager got a call from the mansion saying "The group's services are no longer wanted or needed.  We received several bad reviews of the ghost tour (Hmmm... I wonder where they came from) and people demanded refunds. So we're canceling all events with your group from now on." 
   I spoke to the mansion manager for 30 minutes after being told this, and she didn't seem to care. That was irritating. We made a good amount of money for them and many people found out about the place. She said that no one complained about my lectures (well, that's good), only the ghost tours. 

WHAT THE COMPLAINERS WANTED - Apparently the people who complained wanted to use equipment and "hunt" for ghosts. They don't realize that our group members sit in a place for up to 8-10 hours and may get NOTHING. Can you imagine how stinking mad you'd be to pay $25 and sit in a mansion for 3 hours and get nothing? I would be pretty mad. - So, we told them about the ghosts who dwelled in which rooms, told them to take photos, do voice recordings and see if they felt anything. Apparently, not good enough. Sadly, the COMPLAINERS won out and the mansion threw us out.

THEN THEY PISSED ON US- People were then notified the Friday night event (45 people bought tickets to profit the mansion) was canceled. The Mansion people told ticket holders that the the PARANORMAL GROUP CANCELED. That is an outright lie. The Mansion canceled the event. I really, really, really despise people who lie. So, 6 years of loyalty and making them money and they lie about things and piss on our group. Tell me not to be furious. 

WHAT WE POSTED TO TELL PEOPLE-       So, we posted this on the haunted tours page: 
Effective 11-13-19, The XXXX Manor CANCELED the Agreement with the  Ghost Tracking group for ALL events.   This includes the pre-scheduled Ghost Tour of Friday, Nov. 15th. Members of the paranormal group were Caught Off-guard by this announcement, and had no previous knowledge of it. We apologize to all who were looking forward to the event, and suggest you call the Belmont for a refund. *This was NOT our decision.** We thank all of those who attended and enjoyed our lectures , tours and investigations and hope you join us at our meetings and investigations on our group page:::XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

AZ Trip #33: A Walk through the Biosphere: The Biomes

Rob and Dan listening to the Biosphere 2 tour

In the last blog about my Arizona trip to visit our friend Dan, we started taking you through the Biosphere II. In today's blog we'll show you different parts of that self-sustaining environment in the desert of Arizona and explain the biomes.

WHAT IS BIOSPHERE 2?  It's the size of about 2 football fields and is the largest closed system ever created! The sealed nature of the structure allowed scientists to monitor the continually changing chemistry of the air, water and soil contained within. Health of the human crew was monitored by a medical doctor inside and an outside medical team.

The Mangrove wetlands

WHERE IS IT LOCATED?  The glass facility is elevated nearly 4,000 feet above sea level at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Arizona, near Tucson. 

WHAT IS A BIOME? A biome /ˈbaɪoʊm/ is a community of plants and animals that have common characteristics for the environment they exist in. They can be found over a range of continents. Biomes are distinct biological communities that have formed in response to a shared physical climate.

WHAT ARE THE BIOMES INSIDE?  There is a 1,900 square meter rainforest, an 850 square meter ocean with a coral reef, a 450 square meter mangrove wetlands, a 1,300 square meter savannah grassland, a 1,400 square meter fog desert, a 2,500 square meter agricultural system, a human habitat, and a below-ground level technical infrastructure. 

HOW IT IS HEATED AND COOLED - Heating and cooling water circulated through independent piping systems and passive solar input through the glass space frame panels covering most of the facility, and electrical power was supplied into Biosphere 2 from an onsite natural gas energy center through airtight penetrations.

Growing plants 

The Ocean Biome and Coral Reef

WHO MANAGES IT? On June 26, 2007, the University of Arizona announced that it took over management of Biosphere 2, using the site as a laboratory to study climate change, among other things.

NEXT: Going Underground in the Biosphere 2

The mangroves area 

AZ Trip #32:Biosphere II in the Arizona Desert (part 1)

Rob and Dan walking through Biosphere 2

In today's Arizona blog, (and we're nearing the last of them), we'll explore the Biosphere 2, out in the desert outside of Tucson, Arizona. Imagine being locked into an environment with 7 others for 2 years and trying to survive... in addition to work. That's exactly what happened when the Biosphere 2 was built. Read on! 

Biosphere 2

WHAT IS BIOSPHERE 2? -  Biosphere 2 was the largest completely sealed environment ever built. Its themed environments, or “biomes,” include living examples of the rainforest, the ocean, tropical wetlands, savannah grasslands, and a coastal fog desert. The original Biosphere is our own planet Earth.

WHAT IS THE BIOSPHERE 2? - Biosphere 2 is an American Earth system science research facility located in Oracle, Arizona. It was originally constructed between 1987 and 1991, and has been owned by the University of Arizona since 2011.

The 8 people who lived inside for 2 years

WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE? - A self-sustainable environment, that would mimic settlements on other planets. From 1991 to 1993, eight people were locked in the giant terrarium, Biosphere II, to live without physical contact with the outside world for two years

Dan at the entrance to the Biosphere

WHAT IS IT USED FOR TODAY? - Its mission is to serve as a center for research, outreach, teaching, and lifelong learning about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe.

WHERE IS IT LOCATED?  32540 S Biosphere Rd, Oracle, AZ 85739

The only coffee plant inside

COFFEE PLANT NON SO SUSTAINING - So the 8 people grew their own food during the time they were there.  The one large coffee plant there was apparently not as sustaining as it could have been. It produced only enough coffee for 1 cup per 8 people every 2 weeks. I would never have volunteered for that project!! 

 NEXT -A Walk through the Biosphere

Our Dog is Now Incontinent- Best Solution for Medium-Sized Dogs!

Recently our girl Dolly, a Weimaraner (70 lbs). who will be 15 years old on Nov. 29th became incontinent and dribbles whenever she lays down.

TRIED THE PEE PADS - I tried the pee pads but it was continual washing, and sometimes when she lay down, she'd spin around and move the pee pads, peeing on the actual bed. That meant taking the bed apart and washing the cover and the pee pads! I also tried putting towels and blankets over the pee pads to keep them steady, but those were also moved and peed on.

DISPOSABLE DIAPERS DIDN'T WORK- Dolly has some fatty growths under her tummy, so disposable dog diapers wouldn't hold and just slid off her. I knew she needed something that would hold them on. Something with straps, like suspenders. Then I found them.

FOUND THE BEST, COMFORTABLE HARNESS - Our canine acupuncturist, Marcie Baer   told me about a velcro and cloth diaper that also affixes around the dog's chest/neck area.

The diaper/harness is called Stay Put Unisex dog Diaper (cloth) ("#D165020) from "In Company of Dogs" and it is amazing.
It was $57 with shipping.

HOW I USE IT - I bought a lot of dog and even human disposable diapers in my previous attempt to control things, so I use them with this Stay Put cloth diaper. I cut up a disposable diaper and put 1/2 a pad in the Stay Put diaper. Then, I change the disposable pad daily.

The harness is easy to affix because of the velcro straps around the neck and around the diaper part. Dolly doesn't mind it at all - and sleeps with it on. This is the best ever if your Weimaraner or small to medium sized-dog is incontinent.

A Typical Fall Weekend: RAKING!

Rob and Tom on leaf clean up duty

Over the weekend of Nov. 2-3, there were a lot of leaves on the lawn and we decided to beproductive. There were a couple of interesting side notes, though. Tom decided we needed a fire pit and he used his new leaf mulcher.

Raking the front yard

Tom building the new fire pit

   Temperatures on Sunday, Nov. 3 were only in the mid-50s, so it was sweatshirt weather and a good day to rake leaves.  Raking leaves is not only good exercise, but a leaf-free lawn is much easier to find our 4 dogs' "presents" and avoid stepping on them. :)  Eww.

End result of leaf mulching

  Earlier in the day, we bought a fire pit at Lowes. Tom has wanted one since he experienced sitting out side around one a couple of weekends ago (I wasn't there). So, he put the metallic, square fire pit together while I raked the leaves. 7 piles of leaves later in the backyard alone, we tackled the front yard together.

Tyler and Dash barked at the leaf mulcher

   TOM'S NEW TOY- Tom bought leaf mulcher, and it consolidates the leaves of  11 piles into just 4 bags. It's a suction machine that takes leaves into a large tube, through a blade, and pushes them through what looks like a 5" in diameter dryer-like flexible plastic pipe... and into a leaf bag (placed inside a trash can). 
  It was a productive and tiring day!

More barking!